Graz Reininghaus

Graz-Reininghaus is a large urban development area on the right bank of the Mur River, just 1.8 kilometers from the historic city center. At 54 hectares, it was for a long time the largest undeveloped zone close to the center, spanning the districts of Eggenberg, Gries, and Wetzelsdorf. The history of the site goes back to antiquity, when important transit routes crossed here. In the Middle Ages, the Steinfeldhof, the city's most important toll house, arose on this spot, along with an inn that later grew into a brewery. In 1853, the Reininghaus business family acquired the grounds and developed them into one of the largest brewing operations in Austria. The complex had modern steam brewing technology and produced not only beer but also spirits, vinegar, and pressed yeast, which were exported as far as Africa and South America. After World War II, during which an armaments factory operated beneath the buildings, beer production was moved to Puntigam in 1947, and the site gradually fell into disuse.

After decades of debate over how to use the land, with ideas ranging from an Olympic Village to a music theme park, concrete plans to remake it as a modern district began. The first construction projects have been underway since 2017, with the goal of creating housing for about 10,000 people and 5,000 jobs by 2027. The concept emphasizes sustainability and quality of life: the center of the new district will be closed to private motorized traffic, while a dense network of pedestrian and bike paths, car-sharing options, and free annual passes for public transit will shape how people get around. A key green space is the planned Reininghauspark, which, together with around 2,000 newly planted trees, will improve the microclimate.

In Graz-Reininghaus, visitors and future residents can watch an industrial wasteland turn into a lively place to live and work. Connections to the city's transit network have improved considerably thanks to the extension of tram line 4, which has served the district directly since the end of 2021, as well as bus connections. The area combines the historic fabric of the former brewery buildings with modern architecture, including the city's tallest residential tower. Through close cooperation between the city, the developers, and the local district management, a place is emerging that brings together social infrastructure, shopping, and leisure options in a newly defined urban landscape.